The Northern New Jersey Traumatic Brain Injury System is a federally funded system of research and clinical care that aims to improve outcomes for people with TBI. It provides innovative investigation, quantifiable data, and answers for individuals living with TBI and their care partners. NNJTBIS is a collaborative project of Kessler Foundation, Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, and four of New Jersey’s preeminent trauma centers.
Turning Research into Resources: Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center
The MSKTC works closely with researchers across all national Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems to develop resources for people living with traumatic brain injury and their supporters. These evidence-based materials are available in a variety of formats such as printable PDF documents, videos, and slideshows.
Empowering Recovery Through Connection and Information
Helping individuals and families adjust to life after TBI is an important part of the NNJTBIS mission. NNJTBIS connects with the community at TBI consumer conferences, through several media channels, providing practical information on advocacy organizations, support groups, caregiver support, and vocational resources.
Advancing TBI Recovery Through Lifelong Data Contribution
NNJTBIS is one of only 16 centers in the U.S. funded for the current Traumatic Brain Injury Model System grant cycle. All centers collect lifelong data—including demographic, functional, and cognitive information—for the national TBIMS database. This shared resource advances research, guides clinical care, and supports individuals with TBI and their caregivers.
Tracking the Long-Term Impact of TBI
The NNJTBIS enrolls approximately 35 to 40 newly injured individuals each year and follows almost 1,000 people with chronic TBI throughout their lives. Researchers collect information such as how the injury happened, how severe it was, daily activities, social life, work, and overall health. This helps them understand how TBI affects people and their caregivers over time, so they can create better ways to meet their needs. The NNJTBIS also participates in collaborative studies, which focus on a variety of topics such as quality of life after injury, cognitive changes, differences in menopausal symptoms in women with TBI, and the resilience of caregivers.
Improving Outcomes for Minority Groups
More than five million Americans with TBI need long-term assistance with activities and daily living. Most commonly, the primary responsibilities fall to family caregivers. Their stress-related issues adversely affect their mood, physical health, family relationships, marital satisfaction, and longevity. Most significantly, caregiver stress has a negative effect on the caregiving of individuals with TBI. Research aimed at identifying and addressing caregiver needs is helping them overcome their challenges, improve their quality of life, and provide quality care for their loved ones living with the lifelong effects of brain injury.
Strengthening the Circle of TBI Caregiving
More than five million Americans with TBI need long-term assistance with activities and daily living. Often, the primary responsibilities fall to family caregivers. Unfortunately, their stress-related issues can sometimes adversely affect their mood, physical health, family relationships, marital satisfaction, and longevity. Most significantly, caregiver stress has a negative effect on the caregiving of individuals with TBI. Research aimed at identifying and addressing caregiver needs is helping them overcome their challenges, improve their quality of life, and provide quality care for their loved ones living with the lifelong effects of brain injury.
The project director for the NNJTBIS is Nancy Chiaravalloti, PhD.
The NNJTBIS is supported by grant #90DP0032 from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC.
